~ IN-SPACe will provide financial support of up to 75% of the total project cost,
with a cap of ₹5 crore per institution
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has rolled out a Request for Proposal (RfP) to establish Antariksh Prayogshala (Space Labs) at select academic institutions across India, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s space technology ecosystem and build future-ready talent.
‘Antariksh Prayogshala’ is a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at creating state-of-the-art space laboratories within Indian academic institutions. These labs will provide hands on training and exposure to students pursuing space tech courses in academic institutes spread across the country. This initiative is intended to enable meaningful industry–academia collaboration, and support India’s long-term vision of becoming a leading global space economy.
Under the scheme, up to seven academic institutions will be selected in a phased manner from different zones across the country. To ensure balanced regional representation one lab is proposed in each zone. These labs will also be available to NGEs for utilization in that zone. IN-SPACe will provide financial support of up to 75 percent of the total project cost, with a cap of ₹5 crore per institution, to be released on a milestone-linked basis.
The selection process will be carried out in two stages. Institutions will first be screened based on eligibility criteria outlined in the RfP. Shortlisted applicants will then be evaluated and ranked by an Empowered Committee (EC), following which final selections will be made on a zone-wise basis.
Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director, Promotion Directorate, IN-SPACe, added, “Antariksh Prayogshala is designed to translate academic knowledge into deployable capability. By creating shared spaces for students, researchers, and industry, these labs will enable applied research, early-stage innovation, and skill development aligned with real industry needs. This is a practical step towards building depth, scale, and sustainability in India’s space ecosystem.”
The Antariksh Prayogshala initiative is expected to deliver multiple outcomes, including structured practical training for students, deeper engagement between academia and the space industry, and the creation of a robust pipeline of skilled professionals capable of contributing to India’s expanding private space sector.
Detailed information on the RfP, including eligibility criteria, zonal distribution, and application timelines, is available on the IN-SPACe website. https://www.inspace.gov.in/inspace
******